What do you think?
Rate this book
Who Was . . . ? Series
Who Was Woodrow Wilson?
First he was known as Tommy, then Woodrow, and eventually, Mr. President. Born on December 28, 1856, in Staunton, Virginia, Thomas Woodrow Wilson was a born leader. He was the president of Princeton University, served as governor of New Jersey after that, and was then elected president of the United States. But not everything was so easy for Wilson. He was ahead of his time in wanting a League of Nations after World War I to help prevent another war like it, but his hopes were dashed when the United States refused to join. Margaret Frith offers a fascinating look at how this magnificent and tragic figure handled debilitating illness, heartbreak, and "the war to end all wars."
(Out Of Print)
(Out Of Print)
112 pages, Paperback
First published June 9, 2015
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 1, 2022
This is a children's history book about Woodrow Wilson who I knew pretty much nothing about. I enjoyed it and learned several things about his time in the White House, including that he kept sheep on the lawn to keep the grass trimmed!
March 26, 2017
"Baseball was new to Augusta. All the boys wanted to be on a team. Tommy was small, yet he was good enough to play second base. He started a club with his friends. He liked taking over and being a leader." (Pg 11)
Even at a young age Thomas Woodrow Wilson has been a leader. Born into a family of ministers and intelligent men Woodrow was destined for greatness. However, he had his fair share of challenges. For one, the civil war closed all the schools and he was forced to be homeschooled. He didn't learn his alphabet until age nine and reading didn't come until age eleven. He was also very sick and spent extensive periods of time in bed. Still, Woodrow pushed himself and ended up attending some of the top colleges in the country. He married his first wife soon after starting graduate school. A twisted turn of events landed him a spot as President of Princeton University. President of a university turned into governor off New Jersey which landed him in the Oval Office.
The overall purpose of this biography was to tell the story of Woodrow Wilson, but also told a story of perseverance. He was a slow reader and suffered from a illness but became the president of the United States. The positive wording made Woodrow look like the best president America has ever seen even when mentioning the draft. The black and white images gives off an old time feeling but the style of the pictures is that of crime scene recreation sketches. Each chapter featured an introduction, rising action, climax and resolution like many aspects of everyday life and events.
I give Who Was Woodrow Wilson 5 stars because biographies are typically boring but this biography kept me entertained. The author knew the exact amount of details from each event to include. The shorter the facts, the easier they are to remember. I can honestly say I have retained so much more of this book's information from a quick read than I have when I've done research papers. By the end, I felt like I had been alive when Woodrow was president when in actuality my parents weren't even alive. One thing I loved about this book was the pages that explained events that the book mentioned. In the beginning the Civil War was mentioned and so was Abraham Lincoln, so of course there was a page that broke down what happened.
Seeing that there are other "Who Was" books written I would replace the traditional president or important figures encyclopedia with these books inside a classroom. You get more facts and a much broader view of the person. You get to see their accomplishments and maybe a few of their weak points. They become more of a human and less of a "God".
Even at a young age Thomas Woodrow Wilson has been a leader. Born into a family of ministers and intelligent men Woodrow was destined for greatness. However, he had his fair share of challenges. For one, the civil war closed all the schools and he was forced to be homeschooled. He didn't learn his alphabet until age nine and reading didn't come until age eleven. He was also very sick and spent extensive periods of time in bed. Still, Woodrow pushed himself and ended up attending some of the top colleges in the country. He married his first wife soon after starting graduate school. A twisted turn of events landed him a spot as President of Princeton University. President of a university turned into governor off New Jersey which landed him in the Oval Office.
The overall purpose of this biography was to tell the story of Woodrow Wilson, but also told a story of perseverance. He was a slow reader and suffered from a illness but became the president of the United States. The positive wording made Woodrow look like the best president America has ever seen even when mentioning the draft. The black and white images gives off an old time feeling but the style of the pictures is that of crime scene recreation sketches. Each chapter featured an introduction, rising action, climax and resolution like many aspects of everyday life and events.
I give Who Was Woodrow Wilson 5 stars because biographies are typically boring but this biography kept me entertained. The author knew the exact amount of details from each event to include. The shorter the facts, the easier they are to remember. I can honestly say I have retained so much more of this book's information from a quick read than I have when I've done research papers. By the end, I felt like I had been alive when Woodrow was president when in actuality my parents weren't even alive. One thing I loved about this book was the pages that explained events that the book mentioned. In the beginning the Civil War was mentioned and so was Abraham Lincoln, so of course there was a page that broke down what happened.
Seeing that there are other "Who Was" books written I would replace the traditional president or important figures encyclopedia with these books inside a classroom. You get more facts and a much broader view of the person. You get to see their accomplishments and maybe a few of their weak points. They become more of a human and less of a "God".
November 23, 2016
Book: Who was Woodrow Wilson Jaden Lea
Author: Margaret Frith Block 1
11-22-16
I rated this book four stars because it was of many facts about Woodrow Wilson and his life, but I didn't think the book was nearly as interesting as it should have been.
The theme of Who was Wilson Woodrow would be to work hard and keep going because there were many times when he was upset, but he kept getting through and becoming more and more popular and successful. If he just let things get to him then he wouldn't have become the president of the United States of America or anything like that.
This book was about a young boy named Tommy that got very interested in learning at around 14 years old. He liked it so much that he attended to The University of Princeton to learn a lot more and become even smarter. He ended up meeting a young women that he asked to marry, and she rejected him. Then he found another girl and fell in love, so he asked her to marry him and she accepted. They had three girls and had a happy life together. Woodrow's wife passed away at 4 years old from kidney issues, and after that, he was very depressed. Then. he found another pretty lady that was 16 years younger than him that he ended up marrying named Edith. They were a happy couple and it helped Woodrow get back on his feet. Woodrow soon became President of the united states of America and was elected twice in a row because he kept America out of War.
Author: Margaret Frith Block 1
11-22-16
I rated this book four stars because it was of many facts about Woodrow Wilson and his life, but I didn't think the book was nearly as interesting as it should have been.
The theme of Who was Wilson Woodrow would be to work hard and keep going because there were many times when he was upset, but he kept getting through and becoming more and more popular and successful. If he just let things get to him then he wouldn't have become the president of the United States of America or anything like that.
This book was about a young boy named Tommy that got very interested in learning at around 14 years old. He liked it so much that he attended to The University of Princeton to learn a lot more and become even smarter. He ended up meeting a young women that he asked to marry, and she rejected him. Then he found another girl and fell in love, so he asked her to marry him and she accepted. They had three girls and had a happy life together. Woodrow's wife passed away at 4 years old from kidney issues, and after that, he was very depressed. Then. he found another pretty lady that was 16 years younger than him that he ended up marrying named Edith. They were a happy couple and it helped Woodrow get back on his feet. Woodrow soon became President of the united states of America and was elected twice in a row because he kept America out of War.
November 29, 2022
Learned:
-at 22 Wilson decided to be called by his middle name Woodrow (first name was Tommy)
-he fell in love with his cousin Hattie who viewed him as friend; he was heart broken
-his dad was a pastor; he fell in love with another pastors daughter named Ellen, saying she was the only women he ever met to whom he felt he could open all his thoughts; they married once Wilson graduated and got a job as a professor for a woman’s college
-the women said he was the most interesting and inspiring lecturer they ever heard
-he later taught at Wesleyan university; after his lectures they would often cheer him
-in this happy time, his kids described him having a “certain gaiety, a delicious sense of fun and mischief”
-he was elected as the 13th president of Princeton; when he was introduced everyone stood and clapped for nearly 10 minutes
-he wished to “transform thoughtless boys performing tasks into thinking men”
-he became the democratic governor of New Jersey because he wanted to (and did) make government changes for the people
-he ran for presidency (D) and won against Teddy Roosevelt (Bull Moose party), becoming the 28th president
-he won a second term, making the phrase “he kept us out of the war” the motto of his campaign (WW1)
-shortly after, the US joined the war when Germany torpedoed 7 American merchant ships
-in 1920 the 19th amendment was passed allowing women to vote; Wilson wasn’t a supporter until women started protesting in front of the White House
-at 22 Wilson decided to be called by his middle name Woodrow (first name was Tommy)
-he fell in love with his cousin Hattie who viewed him as friend; he was heart broken
-his dad was a pastor; he fell in love with another pastors daughter named Ellen, saying she was the only women he ever met to whom he felt he could open all his thoughts; they married once Wilson graduated and got a job as a professor for a woman’s college
-the women said he was the most interesting and inspiring lecturer they ever heard
-he later taught at Wesleyan university; after his lectures they would often cheer him
-in this happy time, his kids described him having a “certain gaiety, a delicious sense of fun and mischief”
-he was elected as the 13th president of Princeton; when he was introduced everyone stood and clapped for nearly 10 minutes
-he wished to “transform thoughtless boys performing tasks into thinking men”
-he became the democratic governor of New Jersey because he wanted to (and did) make government changes for the people
-he ran for presidency (D) and won against Teddy Roosevelt (Bull Moose party), becoming the 28th president
-he won a second term, making the phrase “he kept us out of the war” the motto of his campaign (WW1)
-shortly after, the US joined the war when Germany torpedoed 7 American merchant ships
-in 1920 the 19th amendment was passed allowing women to vote; Wilson wasn’t a supporter until women started protesting in front of the White House
October 2, 2020
Who Was Woodrow Wilson? by Margaret Frith is one of the books in the "Who Was/Is..." series targeted for the youth market that provides an overview about famous people and places in world history. This one details the biographical history of Woodrow Wilson's early years and his career in the realm of education including his position of President of Princeton University. From there he moved into local politics including election to the office of Governor of the state of New Jersey. He presented a fresh new message to the electorate and had also gotten the attention of the democrat party on the national level. eventually he ran for and was elected to the office of the President of the United States. The author lists a number of Woodrow Wilson's proposals that he pushed for congressional approval including wanting to help create and join a League of Nations after the conclusion of World War I with the aim to prevent such conflicts in the future. But the US congress refused to support the US joining. He is know for many of his progressive ideas that seem to still have support today.
April 24, 2018
I'm not really the target audience, but I enjoy the 'Who Was ...' series - they provide a good overview of historical figures and while they obviously gloss over various subjects, they are at least a primer for further reading. I have A. Scott Berg's biography sitting on my shelf which will obviously unveil a much more comprehensive look at Wilson's rise from Princeton President to American President in the space of a few years and the US entry into WW1. Brief though this book may be, Woodrow Wilson was clearly an impressive individual and we are left to wonder if illness had not struck, whether he would have become the first President to be elected to three terms.
April 7, 2021
Once again the who was series is a good series to get a broad overview of so many topics. Woodrow Wilson lived during such an interesting time in U.S. History starting with the civil war and culminating with being the president to kept the U.S. out of war only to be the president who took us into war.
June 9, 2021
Tommy Wilson, as he was known to his family, was prone to debilitating headings. He also had a rough time learning basic things until he discovered short hand. He was born in to a rich family but he also wanted to make a name for himself. This book informs the reader about the many career changes he made which eventually led him to become president Woodrow Wilson.
January 18, 2019
Sadly, I knew very little about President Wilson. What a great man and a wonderful parent/husband. I didn't know he started the League of Nations and that his wife started the Rose Garden at the White House. And what an interesting early career he had. Very detailed and interesting book.
October 31, 2017
Terrific little biography. Gives a nice summary of who he was as a person, what he accomplished, and what he stood for. 4 stars, recommended reading
July 24, 2018
I knew absolutely nothing about this president or man before reading this book.
August 31, 2018
He was a President of princeton and president of the us in ww1Hestardettheleageofnationstopreventwars
February 22, 2020
I love this series. The books take 15 or 20 minutes to read and are a great introduction to having to research something in-depth.
who-hq
July 18, 2020President of Princeton, Governor of New Jersey, then President. Presented 14 point plan for WWI and came up with idea for League of Nations.
January 25, 2021
Not as interesting as some famous people, but still good to learn about this president of the US.
November 23, 2016
November
Who Was Woodrow Wilson?
Margaret Frith
Woodrow Wilson was a very successful man in his early life and also in his later life. As a kid he was called Tommy and then later wanted to be called Woodrow. Woodrow didn't learn how to read until he was about 16. He went to college at Princeton University. He moved to Georgia and established a law firm with a former classmate. He first became a teacher at Princeton then got elected for president of Princeton University in 1902. His Princeton presidency was what really got his feet off the ground. Soon after that he became the New Jersey governor. In 1912 he became president of the United States. He was a president for eight years. The last couple years of his life he was very quite and died in 1924.
I think the theme in this book is even if you don't know anything at first you can't give up hope. Woodrow didn't know a lot in the first 16 years of his life. He eventually realized that he needs to learn. He eventually did and became very successful in his life time. Even though that wasn't in the 20th century it doesn't mean you can't succeed now. Many people become successful when they get older in life, although that isn't the ideal situation it is still an option.
Who Was Woodrow Wilson?
Margaret Frith
Woodrow Wilson was a very successful man in his early life and also in his later life. As a kid he was called Tommy and then later wanted to be called Woodrow. Woodrow didn't learn how to read until he was about 16. He went to college at Princeton University. He moved to Georgia and established a law firm with a former classmate. He first became a teacher at Princeton then got elected for president of Princeton University in 1902. His Princeton presidency was what really got his feet off the ground. Soon after that he became the New Jersey governor. In 1912 he became president of the United States. He was a president for eight years. The last couple years of his life he was very quite and died in 1924.
I think the theme in this book is even if you don't know anything at first you can't give up hope. Woodrow didn't know a lot in the first 16 years of his life. He eventually realized that he needs to learn. He eventually did and became very successful in his life time. Even though that wasn't in the 20th century it doesn't mean you can't succeed now. Many people become successful when they get older in life, although that isn't the ideal situation it is still an option.
December 8, 2016
"Woodrow Wilson" by Margaret Frith informs you about a kid who started off wanting to be a politician. He once skipped school to go watch a elephant in the circus. He also wrote a constitution for his baseball league at school. Woodrow worked at Princeton and then at The university of Virginia he became the governed of the school. Shortly after that he was voted to become president. Woodrow became president and was married to Ellen and had 2 kids.
My opinion about this book is that it was really good and it gave me a lot of new information about Woodrow that I didn't even know, like he skipped school to see an elephant in the circus. I really liked how the author gave us little illustrations of important people and buildings. I just wish there was a little more about Woodrow that I could learn about him.
I recommend this book to younger kids. I also recommend this book to people who are interested in the government and politics.
My opinion about this book is that it was really good and it gave me a lot of new information about Woodrow that I didn't even know, like he skipped school to see an elephant in the circus. I really liked how the author gave us little illustrations of important people and buildings. I just wish there was a little more about Woodrow that I could learn about him.
I recommend this book to younger kids. I also recommend this book to people who are interested in the government and politics.
January 13, 2017
The book "Who Was Woodrow Wilson" my Margaret Frith is about the life of Woodrow Wilson. It explains his steps to becoming president along with his childhood and school career. It also talks about his days in the White House and the struggles he faced.
Overall I enjoyed this book very much. I thought all presidents were rich and just basically bought the job by making friends with high powered people and paying a lot of money on their campaign. This book showed me what it actually takes to become president. Woodrow Wilson faced a lot of problems in his life and somehow was able to get back on his feet and keep going ahead strong.
I would recommend this book and anyone who is going through a hard time to show them that it does get better along with people who are interested in politics or running a club, business, store, etc.
Overall I enjoyed this book very much. I thought all presidents were rich and just basically bought the job by making friends with high powered people and paying a lot of money on their campaign. This book showed me what it actually takes to become president. Woodrow Wilson faced a lot of problems in his life and somehow was able to get back on his feet and keep going ahead strong.
I would recommend this book and anyone who is going through a hard time to show them that it does get better along with people who are interested in politics or running a club, business, store, etc.
June 14, 2015
Yaaawn. As much as I love presidential biographies, this was a bit dull. Of course it's for kids, but still I usually get more fascinating information, even from kid's books. Was Woodrow Wilson's life really so dull? He became President of Princeton, Governor of New Jersey, President of the US, then delayed entry into WWI until it could no longer be delayed. Later he introduced his 14 Points for peace, won a Nobel Peace Prize, and introduced the League of Nations which the US refused to join and which failed to prevent WWII. I don't really have a strong appreciation for Wilson from this book. I'll have to read a more detailed book to get more juicy information.
February 18, 2016
Review first published on My Blog.
A brief biography of Woodrow Wilson from birth to death. We see him struggle to learn to read and not enjoy learning until he was 16 years old but then how his thirst for knowledge took off after that, how he became interested in law and politics, how being president of universities helped hone him for the role of president, how being a child in the South during the Civil War shaped his thoughts on WWI. Again, we got to see how important a person's early life was in determining their character and shaping their thoughts and policies as president.
A brief biography of Woodrow Wilson from birth to death. We see him struggle to learn to read and not enjoy learning until he was 16 years old but then how his thirst for knowledge took off after that, how he became interested in law and politics, how being president of universities helped hone him for the role of president, how being a child in the South during the Civil War shaped his thoughts on WWI. Again, we got to see how important a person's early life was in determining their character and shaping their thoughts and policies as president.
May 9, 2016
Awful. I had to skip through and became disgusted as I progressed along. ugh.
Hated the low-quality drawings; really detracted from whatever the text was.
Hated the low-quality drawings; really detracted from whatever the text was.
May 10, 2016
i liked it
October 31, 2016
i liked it
April 2, 2017
A good intro read into Woodrow Wilson's life for children.
July 22, 2017
He won a Nobel Peace prize on top of being president.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews